Public service workers under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC)have declared a three-day warning strike over worsening economic conditions, rising living costs and concerns over workers’ welfare.
The warning strike is scheduled to commenceat midnight on Friday, October 2, 2026, and end on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
The directive was contained in a circular dated October 1, 2026, signed
theNational Secretary of the JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga, and addressed to the council’s national and state leadership.
The council directed its leaders to immediately commence mobilisation and ensure that the strike notice reaches workers across the country.
Council Cites Economicand Mental Hardship
According to the circular, the decision followed what the council described as the Federal Government’s failure to respond adequately to requests earlier submitted to President Bola Tinubu in a letter dated September 21, 2026.
The council said the economic situationfacing workers and their dependants had become increasingly difficult.
“The economic and mental hardships arebecoming unbearable and frustrating,” the council stated.
It consequently directed public servants across the federal, state and local governmentservices to participate in the warning strike.
Minimum Wage, Petrol Price Top Demands
The planned industrial action follows earlier demands
the council for measures tocushion the impact of rising living costs.
Among its demands are a reduction in the priceof petrol, an immediate wage award for workersand the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.
The council had reportedly called for the reduction of the petrol pump price to N500 per litre, an immediate wage award and theestablishment of a tripartite committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage.
Workers Asked to Mobilise
Calling on its leadership to commencemobilisation, the council declared that the time for action had come.
“The time to act and mobilise workers for the three-day warning strike is now!!!” the circular stated.
The council also urged workers and its various structures to circulate the strike notice widely and participate in the industrial action.
Rising Cost of Living Fuels Concerns
The warning strike comes amid continuingconcerns over the cost of living and the purchasing power of Nigerian workers, with household expenses, transportationcosts and prices of essential goods putting additional pressure on families.
The JNPSNC maintained that the plannedaction was intended to draw attention to the challenges confronting workers, theirdependants and other vulnerable Nigerians.
The circular concluded with a call for the information to be disseminated across the public service.
“Please, disseminate the information!!! Surely, there is victory for us!!!” the council stated.
